The Ultimate Popping Cork Setup
- By: Matt Lanier
- on June 28, 2022
Note: This blog post on the ultimate popping cork setup was originally shared on June 28th, 2022, but we’re now sharing it again so you can assemble the best outfit for popping corks as we enter the heat of summer!! Be sure to scroll down to check out all of the HELPFUL comments below this article!
What makes up the ultimate popping cork setup?
What sort of tackle and gear do you need to assemble the ideal popping cork outfit?
If you want to catch more fish on popping corks, then you need to check this out!!
Ultimate Popping Cork Setup [VIDEO]
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Featured Equipment:
- 7′ Medium-Fast Action TFO Tactical Inshore Fishing Rod
- Daiwa BG MQ
- Four Horsemen Popping Corks
- Power Prawn U.S.A.
- F.R.E.D. Paddletail
Rods
The most important tool included in the system is the fishing rod itself.
Popping corks are meant to suspend and float on the surface.
So when a fish pulls the cork underneath the surface of the water, the buoyant cork is trying to push its way back to the surface.
That means you need a rod with very Fast-Action.
I recommend the TFO Tactical Inshore Spinning Rod.
There is no loss in response time from the load up in the rod to the time it can take for the cork to come back up to the surface.
You need to provide enough force for the cork to get back to the surface and set the hook in the fish’s mouth.
The TFO Tactical Inshore rod that I use is a 7′ Medium-Fast Action Rod.
Keep in mind, that TFO Tactical rods are slightly heavier than most other inshore fishing rods but it is equipped with a super Fast-Action tip.
That is the difference maker when burying the hook in a fish’s mouth.
Simply put, other rods will not respond this way when you are trying to set the hook while fishing a popping cork.
If I was forced to only recommend one thing from this entire setup it would be the TFO Tactical Inshore Rod.
It goes without saying that having a strong connection to the fish is vital and you could only have one chance to get a clean hookset in a fish’s mouth.
You do not want to lose fish because of a mistake in gear selection.
I personally am a “Rod Snob” and used to have a completely custom rod outfitted for my popping cork trips.
But I have since traded that out for the TFO Tactical Inshore Rod.
Reels
Fish often strike a lure under a popping cork and immediately take off on a run.
It can be in your favor to use a reel that picks up line well, especially in the case the fish takes a run directly at you.
Daiwa’s BG MQ reels are absolute powerhouses and have a line pick-up speed of nearly 3 feet per turn.
If you want to add a premium reel to your popping cork setup, the Daiwa BG MQ hits all the marks.
I not only use it for popping cork setups but the BG MQ has become my everyday fishing reel.
Conclusion
Popping corks are an extremely effective method for attracting curious fish over to check out your lure and strike.
Often overlooked is the right rod and reel combination that puts you in the best position to succeed.
Be sure to head over to our online tackle shop and pick up a TFO Tactical Inshore Rod while they’re still in stock!
Featured Equipment:
- 7′ Medium-Fast Action TFO Tactical Inshore Fishing Rod
- Daiwa BG MQ
- Four Horsemen Popping Corks
- Power Prawn U.S.A.
- F.R.E.D. Paddletail
Do you have any more questions about the ultimate popping cork setup?
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Hello Matt I noticed you recommended the TFO Tactical 7’ medium fast action rod. But on the shop page I only see the 7’ ML. This is in reference to using the popping cork.
I fish different ways kayak,wading pot holes,wading mud flats, fishing shore lines in a boat and casting from rocky shorelines where distance is a premium. Targeting redfish and trout and rare drum and flounder. Use lures top water spoons and worms. Also live bait croaker and mud minnows. My question is the length of the spinning rod 7 ft vs 7 1/2 foot. At times distance is paramount and other times not do I need 2 different rod lengths
If distance is a big concern for you, i would definitely recommend the 7’6″. I use the 7′ version as it works best for me with this type of application.
Thanks for watching, Steve!
Fantastic suggestions on the cork setup!! Thanks for this tip Matt!
Thanks Wyatt! 💪
Thank you Matt for responding to my question. I did see later that someone else had asked you about the same thing. I do have another question though. I’m looking for a new rod for kayak fishing and I’m trying to decide between the TFO Pro S and the TFO Tac. I see that the Tac has the exposed blank at the real seat. Is that a considerable advantage or are they both fairly equal? Just looking for your opinion. I think Luke is partial to the Pro. Also, what’s your thoughts between 7″ and 7.6″ for kayaks?
Good questions!
The professional has a more moderate action, meaning it begins its flex in the rod, lower down the blank towards the handle.
I have one of each of those rods, in each length, but I use them for different applications.
You can cast further with the 7’6″ version of both, than the 7′.
The exposed blank does give you some increased sensitivity, you are correct.
The TAC is a more sensitive rod, but also doesn’t have as much flex, meaning quicker response time on hookset.
The Pro is great with trout as it has some give for those head shakes.
We all use our rods differently so it’s hard to say what would be better, but I can tell you that I can recommend them both.
If you told me what you were looking to use it for, bait, and type area you plan on targeting, I could prob give a little better info.
Thanks for that information. My main target is trout and flounder and most of my fishing is around Grand Isle La. and the north side of Lake Pontchartrain. I tend to use soft plastics and if that isn’t working I’ll go to cut bait. Looks like I’ll probably end up ordering one of each.
For the popping cork I definitely recommend the TAC, as it does have a faster action than the PRO.
For other applications, for fishing for flounder, trout, and redfish, the PRO is a great all around rod. I have 2 of those as well, and have different uses for both.
I will say every tool has its use, and I believe you no doubt would be happy with either or both.
And if you do decide to get both, you save on shipping cost. Win/win.
I’ve been curious to kno how to retrieve paddle tails with a popping cork I’ve been limited to shrimp lures
Great question Devin. I’m going to be doing a video about that very soon.
But you can work them many of the same ways.
Matt, Would the PRO S in 7’6 M work just as well? I have two of them and really can’t afford to buy another rod for the arsenal right now.
Yes, They would work as well as they do have a stiff backbone to them. You just won’t get the same response time on your hookset, so be sure to give the fish a good hookset with a tight line, when you see the cork go under. Great question Mark!
Great instructional Matt! And thank you for using the correct terminology for action and power of a rod. Too often the “experts” get action and power turned around. Short, sweet, and informative. Great job Matt. Maybe an instructional segment on what is action, what is power, and the lack of industry standards for power ratings might be helpful to a lot of anglers. Buzz
Thanks for noticing the terminology there, Buzz! One of the important things we learned at Mudhole!
We can definitely cover another video talking about that! I will kick the idea to Justin! Thanks again for watching!
Do you have a video explaining rod listings. Just watched a video of Mat using a TFO Tactical medium fast. When looking at the rods in your tackle store I found M MH ML. What would be the listing for the fast action?
Hey Daniel! The one I use, shown in this video, is the TFO TAC IS 704-1 That is the 7′ Medium/Fast version that I recommended as a kayak angler. If you would like you can get the 7’6″ version That would be the M in the tackle shop.
With this blank they are all fast action so no need to worry about that in the item description.
If you have any more questions, I’m happy to help!
Nothing more than a commercial for a rod and reel; not one word about how to use the set up to attract fish. I saw a paddle tail about 18” from the cork and that was about all I learned.
Hey Mark,
I hear you and I appreciate the feedback.
This video was made per request from members as to what type of setup they want to use when working with a popping cork.
I did do a video last week discussing some of the technique for using popping corks at this video here: Unpopular Popping Cork Hack To Easily Trigger More Strikes (saltstrong.com)
I am already working on a video on popping cork retrieval tactics, as well as a 4 Horseman Popping Cork Review which was the popping cork used in this video, and it is actually the same one I have been using for 3 months without having to change it. These 4 Horseman Corks are super durable and have stood up to the test of time unlike some of the others on the market.
As always, if there are some things that you would like one of the coaches to cover, you can leave that in the comments section and one of us will get to it as soon as we can! We are happy to help, and all of us are committed to helping anyone with any of the information they are looking for. Including when members ask, “What setup do you have your popping cork on?”
I do, however, appreciate the feedback and your thoughts. As you undoubtedly know, we aren’t sponsored or paid to say anything concerning any of the products we review or offer. I am only talking about my personal experience with these products, and how they have performed for me, and why I chose these items specifically based on that performance and my needs as a kayak fisherman.
Thanks again for the comment and watching!
If you have any more questions for me, never hesitate to reach out in the comments section, send me a message in the community, or send me an email directly.
Tight Lines!
Matt: good report as I use a popping cork as well with live/and or dead shrimp on a 3/0 hook. I put a split shot on the leader above the hook and the weight of the split shot depends on current.
I also use a “slip knot” UNDER the cork which allows me to vary the depth of the
hook presentation. It all depends on the depth that the fish are holding in.
The slip knot works great
I have rigged my popping cork the exact same when fishing with live bait. Super effective! These popping corks can be super versatile as well as effective!
Thanks for watching David! Glad that you found this helpful!